Renault India has commenced global exports of the all-new Duster, marking a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to strengthen India’s role in its international manufacturing network. The first shipment of 750 units of the SUV departed from Chennai for South Africa, with exports to additional global markets planned in the coming months. The export rollout highlights the growing importance of India within Renault Group’s global operations and aligns with the company’s “futuREady” strategy aimed at expanding manufacturing, engineering and export capabilities from the country. Renault said the move reinforces India’s position as a strategic production hub serving both domestic and overseas markets.
Commenting on the development, Stephane Deblaise, CEO of Renault Group India, said the start of exports validates the quality, competitiveness and manufacturing capabilities of Renault’s Chennai operations. He noted that India has the necessary ingredients to emerge as a leading automotive export hub, including world-class manufacturing infrastructure, engineering talent, production scale and an evolving logistics ecosystem. Deblaise added that Renault remains committed to supporting India’s manufacturing ambitions and is working toward its target of generating €2 billion in annual exports from India by 2030.
The all-new Duster is the first Renault vehicle in India to be built on the Renault Group Modular Platform (RGMP), which supports multiple powertrain technologies. The SUV has also earned a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating across all variants and powertrains. The export launch is expected to strengthen Renault’s brand visibility in Northeast India, including Guwahati, one of the region’s fastest-growing automobile markets. Industry observers believe the Duster’s strong safety credentials and global positioning could attract SUV buyers in Assam and neighbouring states, while the company’s export success may further boost consumer confidence in Renault’s India-made vehicles.